—Why did you choose to pursue platform studies?
I would like to collect data on plant photosynthesis and use it as large-scale data. Photosynthesis does not necessarily occur in plants when exposed to light but is affected by various environmental stresses. While it is known that photosynthesis is limited by stomata and various other mechanisms, as described below, it is unknown to what extent each of these factors affects photosynthesis in the wild. Therefore, in the future, I would like to install sensors worldwide to collect data. Thus, I submitted my application for the program to obtain the technical aspects of remote communication and processing of large-scale data.
—What research themes are you currently working on?
Photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide to be absorbed through the stomata. The humidity in leaves is generally 100%, and during the day, when the temperature is high, a large amount of water vapor escapes through the stomata. Accordingly, plants tend to close their stomata during the day and thus the rate of photosynthesis is reduced, making the prediction of stomatal opening and closing essential for crop growth and carbon sequestration in forests. While the degree of diurnal stomatal closure varies greatly depending on soil moisture content, plant survival strategies, as well as weather conditions, the extent to which each of these affects stomatal behavior is unknown. To this end, I am currently growing juvenile trees of various species in a common field and measuring diurnal variation of stomatal conductance under controlled soil moisture conditions to closely observe its relationship with environmental conditions and the variation among species, individual organisms, and individual leaves.
—What have you gained through the School of Platforms program?
Since there is a great deal of challenging content in the field of informatics that I am unfamiliar with, I am now gradually acquiring such knowledge. I have already found some information that could be used in field research presentations that I have seen before. For example, I have heard about a particular sensor that requires one to go to the place where it is installed and manually collect the data, but I imagine it would be much more efficient if this data could be obtained via remote communication.
—What is the platform to you (ideal situations, desirable future, etc.)?
create a system capable of tracking the rate of photosynthesis of crops and trees, both in Japan and worldwide. Currently, while information on the distribution of nutrient resources, water resources, and vegetation worldwide, as well as the relationship between plant characteristics and photosynthetic capacity, is being accumulated, we do not know how much photosynthesis is taking place under open field conditions. Obtaining this information will significantly help crop management and improve the accuracy of climate change projections.
—If the goal is to improve the world just a little from where it stands today, what do you think is needed, or what would you like to do?
This is a very difficult question and not easy to answer. One thing that I am able to do is show people in various fields interesting topics and important matters related to plant photosynthesis. Since most of the carbon that humans use for food and raw materials is fixed by plants as a result of photosynthesis, meaning that photosynthesis is closely related to any and all industries. I hope that people in any field will keep in mind the knowledge concerning plants and photosynthesis.
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